Prologue (Empires before 1492)

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aztec.bmpPrologue: The world outside

This unit examines the various empires that existed and thrived around the world during the 14th century CE. Below are copies of handouts/assignments available for download during the unit only, as well as links to websites for research purposes (or for further information). Scroll down this page, which is listed in chronological order, to find what you seek.

The "Big Idea" (overarching concept of Unit)

  • What are the defining characteristics of an empire?
  • What causes them to rise and fall?

Ming Dynasty China

  • Handouts/assignments (posted for download on dates listed on calendar)
    • Cultural Achievements handout
    • Zheng He Geography assignment
    • Voyages of Zheng He Handout
  • Beyond the classroom
    • History of Chinese Dynasties
    • 1421 Hypothesis (Wikipedia entry)
    • Menzies, Gavin. 1421 - The Year China Discovered America (New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 2004)
      • A website, continuing the research started with the book, has been setup and is occasionally updated with new information.
  • Midterm Madness VI competitors:

Pre-Columbian American Empires (Aztec and Inca)

  • Handouts/assignments (posted for download on dates listed on calendar)
    • Chapter 16:3 worksheet
    • Chocolate Timeline
    • Chapter 16:4 worksheet
    • Guns, Germs and Steel worksheet
  • Beyond the classroom
    • History of the Aztec/Mexica People (Wikipedia entry)
    • History of the Inca People (Wikipedia entry)
    • Diamond, Jared. Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies (New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1997)
      • A website was constructed by PBS and National Geographic for a three-part series based on the book in 2005.
      • This book won the Pulitzer Prize for Science in 1998
  • Midterm Madness VI competitors:

Islamic Calphates to Ottoman Empire

Empire of Mali

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